Patentable/Patents/US-11480760
US-11480760

Lens assembly

PublishedOctober 25, 2022
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A lens assembly includes a lens body, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens and a fourth lens, wherein the lens body includes a lens barrel, and the first lens, the second lens, the third lens and the fourth lens are fixed in the lens body in order from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens is closest to the object side and includes an object side surface, the object side surface is protruded along the optical axis, the first lens further includes a first portion close to the object side and a second portion close to the image side, and a diameter of the first portion is smaller than a diameter of the second portion so that a step is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

Patent Claims
12 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lens further comprises an edge portion for the first lens to be supported and fixed, and the lens assembly satisfies: 0.19≤A/B≤0.28, where A is the maximal outer diameter of the first portion of the first lens, and B is the maximal outer diameter of the lens major diameter portion of the lens assembly.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to optical lens assemblies, specifically addressing the structural design and dimensional constraints of lens components to improve mechanical stability and optical performance. The lens assembly includes a first lens with a first portion and an edge portion for support and fixation. The edge portion ensures proper mounting and alignment within the assembly. A key aspect of the design is the ratio of the maximal outer diameter of the first portion of the first lens (A) to the maximal outer diameter of the lens major diameter portion of the entire lens assembly (B), which is constrained to the range 0.19 to 0.28. This ratio ensures optimal balance between structural integrity and optical functionality, preventing deformation or misalignment while maintaining desired optical properties. The edge portion provides a robust interface for securing the lens, enhancing durability and precision in manufacturing and assembly processes. The invention is particularly useful in applications requiring high-precision optics, such as cameras, microscopes, or other imaging systems, where lens stability and performance are critical. The specified dimensional constraints ensure consistent performance across different environmental conditions and usage scenarios.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lens barrel comprises a major diameter portion close to the image side and a minor diameter portion close to the object side, a stepped surface is formed between the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion, the lens minor diameter portion is formed by the minor diameter portion of the lens barrel, and the lens major diameter portion is formed by the major diameter portion of the lens barrel.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a lens assembly for optical systems, particularly addressing the challenge of compact design while maintaining optical performance. The lens assembly includes a lens barrel with varying diameters to optimize space utilization and structural integrity. The barrel features a major diameter portion near the image side and a minor diameter portion near the object side, connected by a stepped surface. The lens itself is integrated with these barrel portions, where the minor diameter portion of the lens aligns with the barrel's minor diameter section, and the major diameter portion of the lens aligns with the barrel's major diameter section. This design ensures precise alignment and stability, reducing assembly complexity while improving optical accuracy. The stepped transition between diameter portions allows for efficient use of space, particularly in compact imaging devices. The lens barrel's structure also enhances durability and alignment during manufacturing and use. This configuration is particularly useful in applications requiring high-performance optics in limited space, such as cameras, smartphones, and other portable imaging devices. The invention focuses on the interplay between lens and barrel geometry to achieve both mechanical and optical advantages.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the edge portion of the first lens is fixed in the major diameter portion of the lens barrel, and the optical effective diameter portion is inside the minor diameter portion of the lens barrel.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a lens assembly for optical systems, particularly addressing the challenge of securely mounting lenses while maintaining precise optical alignment. The assembly includes a lens barrel with varying diameters and a lens having distinct edge and optical effective portions. The edge portion of the lens is fixed within the major diameter portion of the lens barrel, ensuring mechanical stability. Meanwhile, the optical effective diameter portion of the lens is positioned inside the minor diameter portion of the lens barrel, allowing for accurate optical alignment and minimizing vignetting or distortion. The lens barrel may include a stepped or tapered structure to accommodate the lens's different sections, ensuring both structural integrity and optical performance. This design is particularly useful in compact optical systems where space constraints and alignment precision are critical, such as in cameras, microscopes, or other imaging devices. The assembly may also incorporate additional lenses or optical elements, each similarly mounted to maintain overall system accuracy. The invention improves upon prior art by providing a more robust and precise lens mounting solution that balances mechanical stability with optical performance.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the edge portion is fixed in the lens barrel.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lens minor diameter portion is formed by the part of the optical effective diameter portion of the first lens, the lens major diameter portion is formed by the lens barrel, and an edge of the object side surface of the first lens is provided with a stop structure of the lens assembly.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to optical lens assemblies, specifically addressing the challenge of integrating a stop structure within a compact lens design to control light entry and improve image quality. The lens assembly includes a first lens with an optical effective diameter portion and a lens barrel. The lens minor diameter portion is formed by part of the optical effective diameter portion of the first lens, while the lens major diameter portion is formed by the lens barrel. A stop structure is integrated at the edge of the object side surface of the first lens, serving as a light-limiting mechanism to regulate the aperture and prevent unwanted light from entering the optical system. This design ensures precise light control while maintaining a compact form factor, enhancing optical performance in imaging applications. The stop structure's placement at the lens edge optimizes space utilization and simplifies assembly, making it suitable for high-precision optical devices such as cameras and imaging modules. The invention focuses on efficient light management within a constrained lens structure, improving image sharpness and reducing aberrations.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover connected to an object end of the lens barrel, wherein the cover has an opening and forms a stop structure in front of the object side surface of the first lens.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the object side surface of the first lens is flushed or is lower than an object side surface of the cover, the lens barrel and the cover are integrally formed as a continuous-unity piece, and the opening of the cover is in a shape of circle, polygon, non-circle, or polygon with sides arranged symmetrically to the optical axis.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first lens further comprises an edge portion for the first lens to be supported and fixed, and the lens assembly satisfies: 0.19≤A/B≤0.28, where A is the maximal outer diameter of the first portion of the first lens, and B is the maximal outer diameter of the lens major diameter portion of the lens assembly.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fifth lens with positive refractive power, wherein the fifth lens is disposed between the first lens and the second lens, the object side surface of the first lens is convex surface, the second lens comprises an object side surface and an image side surface, the fifth lens comprises an object side surface and an image side surface, the image side surface of the fifth lens is convex surface.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an optical lens assembly, specifically a multi-lens system designed for imaging applications such as cameras or optical sensors. The problem addressed is achieving compactness, high image quality, and efficient light transmission in optical systems, particularly for devices with space constraints like smartphones or surveillance cameras. The lens assembly includes at least five lenses, with a fifth lens added between the first and second lenses. The first lens has a convex object-side surface, meaning it bulges outward toward the object being imaged. The second lens has both an object-side and an image-side surface. The fifth lens, positioned between the first and second lenses, also has an object-side and an image-side surface, with the image-side surface being convex. The convex surfaces help control light refraction, reducing aberrations and improving focus accuracy. The fifth lens's positive refractive power contributes to bending light rays appropriately, enhancing overall optical performance while maintaining a compact form factor. This configuration optimizes light path efficiency, reducing distortion and improving sharpness in captured images. The design is particularly useful in applications requiring high-resolution imaging in limited space.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object side surface of the first lens is convex surface, the third lens comprises an object side surface and an image side surface, the fourth lens comprises an object side surface and an image side surface, the third lens is with positive refractive power, the image side surface of the third lens is convex surface, and the image side surface of the fourth lens is concave surface.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an optical lens assembly, specifically a multi-lens system designed for imaging applications such as cameras or optical sensors. The problem addressed is achieving high optical performance in a compact form factor, balancing factors like aberration correction, light transmission efficiency, and manufacturing feasibility. The lens assembly includes at least four lenses, with specific surface curvatures and refractive power distributions to optimize image quality. The first lens has a convex object-side surface, meaning it bulges outward toward the object being imaged. The third lens has positive refractive power, meaning it converges light rays, and its image-side surface is convex. The fourth lens has a concave image-side surface, meaning it curves inward toward the image sensor. These surface shapes and refractive power distributions work together to correct optical aberrations, such as spherical and chromatic aberrations, while maintaining a compact design. The combination of convex and concave surfaces in the third and fourth lenses helps control light path and minimize distortion. The overall design aims to achieve high-resolution imaging with reduced size and weight, suitable for applications like smartphones, surveillance cameras, or other portable imaging devices.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fifth lens is with positive refractive power, the object side surface of the first lens is convex surface, and the image side surface of the fifth lens is convex surface.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an optical lens assembly, specifically a multi-lens system designed for imaging applications such as cameras or optical sensors. The primary problem addressed is achieving high optical performance in a compact form factor, balancing factors like image quality, distortion correction, and size constraints. The lens assembly comprises five lenses arranged sequentially from an object side to an image side. The fifth lens has positive refractive power, meaning it converges light rays toward the image plane. The first lens, positioned closest to the object, has a convex surface on its object-side surface, which helps in efficiently gathering and directing light into the system. The fifth lens, positioned closest to the image sensor, has a convex surface on its image-side surface, aiding in focusing light onto the sensor while minimizing aberrations. The combination of these lens shapes and refractive powers ensures that the assembly corrects for common optical distortions such as spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, and field curvature. The convex surfaces on the first and fifth lenses contribute to a wider field of view and improved edge sharpness. The positive refractive power of the fifth lens helps maintain a compact design while achieving high-resolution imaging. This configuration is particularly useful in applications where space is limited, such as in mobile devices or compact cameras.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The lens assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the object side surface of the first lens is convex surface, the third lens comprises an object side surface and an image side surface, the fourth lens comprises an object side surface and an image side surface, the third lens is with positive refractive power, the image side surface of the third lens is convex surface, and the image side surface of the fourth lens is concave surface.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an optical lens assembly, specifically a multi-lens system designed for imaging applications such as cameras or optical sensors. The problem addressed is achieving compact, high-performance imaging with reduced aberrations and improved image quality in a limited space, often required in portable or miniaturized devices. The lens assembly includes multiple lenses, with specific focus on the first, third, and fourth lenses. The first lens has a convex object-side surface, meaning it bulges outward toward the object being imaged. The third lens has positive refractive power, meaning it converges light rays, and its image-side surface is convex, further aiding in light convergence. The fourth lens has a concave image-side surface, which helps control light dispersion and reduce aberrations. These surface shapes and refractive properties work together to optimize light path efficiency, minimize distortion, and enhance overall optical performance within a compact form factor. The design is particularly suited for applications requiring high-resolution imaging in constrained environments, such as smartphone cameras or surveillance systems.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

March 30, 2020

Publication Date

October 25, 2022

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Lens assembly